Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a progress report on the Defence Forces’ participation in the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1215/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the request of the United Nations, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria since September 2013. The current Defence Forces contingent, the 46th Irish Infantry Group UNDOF, comprises 130 troops and consists of a Force Reserve Company and support elements. Their role includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force which is on standby to assist with on-going operations within the UNDOF Area of Responsibility. In that capacity, in August 2014, the Irish contingent dealt with several incidents as requested by the Force Commander UNDOF. The Golan situation remains volatile as Syrian Arab Armed Forces and Anti Government Armed Elements continue to clash within the Area of Separation. The threat to Defence Forces personnel serving in Golan Heights on the Israeli occupied side is assessed as MODERATE and on the Syrian side is assessed as SUBSTANTIAL. Eight (8) other Defence Forces personnel are also deployed in UNDOF Headquarters, Camp Ziouani, including the Acting Force Commander Brigadier General Anthony Hanlon.

Last September, given events on the ground, I called for the UN to undertake a review of the mission, particularly the capacity of the mission to fulfil its mandate in light of the civil war in Syria. Since then there has been a fundamental realignment of the UNDOF mission with a view to minimising unacceptable risks to peacekeepers, while continuing to implement the mission’s mandate. The UN continues to review the mission and will provide regular updates on the mission to the Security Council in this regard.

During my visit to the Middle East last month, I had the opportunity of meeting the then Force Commander UNDOF, Lieutenant General Singha, and the Irish troops serving with the mission. The visit also afforded me an opportunity to see, at first hand, the dedication and professionalism of military personnel and the tremendous work done overseas by the Irish Defence Forces. I conveyed to the troops our deep appreciation for the outstanding manner in which they continue to perform their duties on overseas service.